Technical Analysis
Rust en Vrede's single vineyard of Syrah (Block 7, which produces the highest quality Syrah on the estate) was planted in 1998.
Tasting note
Expressive red and black fruit combine seamlessly on the nose. Spicy red cherries, mulberry and blueberries. Dark chocolate and smoked paprika add layers. Elegant and accessible on the palate, with fine, ripe, and velvety tannins. Red-fruit acidity balances the bold black fruit flavours, with toasty oak, tobacco and a hint of cured meat adding complexity to the wine.
Vintage conditions
The vintage of 2018 was challenging because it was the fourth consecutive year of drought, bringing dry conditions with water restrictions. Careful water management was essential, but the benefit of the dry weather meant very healthy vines. The dry conditions also resulted in smaller berries, which in turn provide excellent colour and flavour intensity. Cooler nights towards the end of February meant a longer hang time, allowing for further flavour development. Despite the irrigation challenges and a smaller crop, 2018 bodes very well for high-quality wines
Vinification details
Made from a designated Single Vineyard (Block 7), these Estate-grown grapes are picked and sorted by hand. Each harvest parcel is vinified separately. 10% of the fruit is retained as whole clusters, 30% is destemmed but left as whole berries, and the remainder is destemmed and crushed before fermentation. Fermentation takes place in open-top fermentation tanks, involving a 14-21-day maceration period with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation in 100% French oak barrels (50% new, 50% 2nd fill), in 500l barrels for 16 months.
Technical Analysis
Rust en Vrede's single vineyard of Syrah (Block 7, which produces the highest quality Syrah on the estate) was planted in 1998.
Tasting note
Hallmark deep colour with aromas of dark berry fruit and plums mix with spices such as star anise, black pepper and cloves. Vanilla and sweet tobacco are evident on both the nose and palate, complementing the dark fruit and adding extra depth.
Vintage conditions
Extreme dry and warm conditions in the summer months resulted in drip irrigation being used, with a maximum winter rainfall of 469mm much lower than the average 712mm. It was a vintage that was monitored extremely closely in the vineyard. The hot, dry conditions resulted in reduced berry size and earlier ripening. Harvest started on the 3rd of February, a week earlier than 2015.
Vinification details
Made from a designated single vineyard, these estate-grown grapes were picked and sorted by hand; each harvest-parcel was vinified separately. Destemmed, crushed and pumped into open top fermentation tanks where they underwent a 14-21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation took place in 100% French oak 500L barrels (50% new, 50% 2nd fill) for 16 months.
Technical Analysis
Rust en Vrede's single vineyard of Syrah (Block 7, which produces the highest quality Syrah on the estate) was planted in 1998.
Tasting note
Intense ruby. Floral notes extend to upfront black and red fruit aromas that are well supported by savoury and salty hints of dark chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg spice. The palate is fruit forward with flavours of strawberries, cherries and mocha which bring this wine together well. The wine has an extended finish with soft mouth-coating tannins.
Vintage conditions
Early bud break and very dry conditions in the months following resulted in irrigation management being used. This led to a short and challenging harvest. Harvest volume was normal, up by 0.8%. The 2015 vintage is well structured with a lighter body and linear fruit expression.
Vinification details
Harvested on three days in late February and early March. After 20 days’ maceration, malolactic fermentation took place in 100% French oak with 50% 500L new medium toast barrels, where it then matured for 18 months.
